One Dead In Fitchburg Home Invasion Saturday Night, DA Early Says
FITCHBURG (CBS) -- One person is dead after a home invasion and subsequent fire raced through an apartment in Fitchburg late Saturday night, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early.
"I just heard her screaming for help, but I went outside and she said that her husband was getting burned," a neighbor said.
The D.A.'s office and police say a targeted armed home invasion at 122 Laurel Street turned tragic.
Witnesses told police that two men started a fire on the third floor.
It's where fire crews found a tenant dead.
"It appeared the victim's hands have been tied behind his back, the scene had been secured," D.A. Early said.
Investigators say three people were confronted when they returned home by two masked men, one with a handgun. Two of the three tenants were able to break free and escape.
"If the two people hadn't been separated, had not been able to free themselves, we would've had three murder victims here today," Early added.
Police have since arrested two suspects as fugitives from justice in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
37-year-old Ramon Milan and 32-year-old Jose Crespo, both from Bridgeport, face multiple charges, including assault with a deadly weapon, arson and armed home invasion.
Authorities did not identify the victim nor his roommates.
"We are still early in the investigation and it is possible that the charges will be upgraded," Early said.
The fire displaced ten other people who lived in the six-unit apartment house. They are being assisted by the Red Cross.
Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney's Office are investigating with the assistance of the State Fire Marshal's Office, Fitchburg Police and Fire, and the State Police Crime Scene Services Section.